Top 8 photography tips to capture your best shots at Cottesloe Beach this weekend!

We love photography at Sculpture by the Sea and have enjoyed seeing thousands of your photos captured on Facebook, Instagram and Flickr as well as our exhibition hashtags #sxscottesloe15 and photography competition #sxsmoments.

So whether you are a keen photographer with a full kit of lenses and cameras or just love snapping on the move, we thought you might like to read a few photography tips ahead of the last weekend of our 11th Cottesloe exhibition courtesy of Canon Australia.

Timing. Think about the time of day you are shooting to create the best light for the sculpture you would like to photograph. Consider shadows to add extra dynamics to the composition.

Background. A busy background can cause distractions that take away from your photograph. Consider shooting in a way to minimise distractions i.e.: rubbish bins, horizon lines, trees etc. Using a shallow depth of field can separate the subject from a background is: F3.5 or lower.

Interesting angles. Challenge yourself to shoot the subject on an angle that is not the obvious one. This will add interest and dynamics to the composition which can give a bigger impact on the viewer.

Depth of field compression. Shooting with a longer lens from further away can give the impression that the background is right up close behind the subject and create a great perspective in the photograph. Add another level of interest by combining this technique with shallow depth of field.

Photo in a photo. Often we capture an entire subject in our photographs; however, if you zoom into the subject, you can create dynamic composition hidden inside the greater subject.

Horizon line. The general rule of thumb is to keep the background straight. Any photographer can make the creative decision to break the rule, but usually I recommend keeping it straight.

Walk around the subject. Instead of taking the obvious photograph, walk around the subject and challenge yourself to see it in a different way. Changing lenses can often help the inspiration process.

Long exposure. Why not try shooting the subject at night with a tripod and long exposure? Think of bringing a torch to paint in some areas to create a highlight in the image.

Lastly, don’t forget to share your photos and follow us online and if you can’t visit in person, you can comment and share your own reviews of Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe on Facebook and Instagram.

The last sunset of Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe will be Monday 23 March; we look forward to seeing your latest shots soon!

Ken Unsworth AM, there’s many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip, Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe 2014. Photo Jarrad Seng.